Beautiful toes...

Yesterday we arrived in Edinburgh after a very long day of traveling by ferry, train and taxi. I have to admit I missed Ireland immediately upon arrival and was very much ready to hop back on the train and head back over to the Emerald Isle... We were starving, exhausted and grumpy. The first bit of business was to check in to our new home for the next few days and find a bite to eat. We headed down the Commercial Quay, dragging our hearts behind us searching for food, which was sub-standard to say the least. We trekked back to the hotel and decided a dip in the pool would be nice. At the front desk I asked the lady which direction the pool was in and she said we do not have a pool... :-( She apologized repeatedly to which I replied it is certainly NOT your fault. I will take it up with Travelocity!! She was so kind and welcoming. She thanked us for not being grumpy with "her" and upon our compassion offered us both a complimentary drink! OK, Edinburgh is looking up for the moment. We sat down with our drinks and she came over with maps and guide books to tell us how to get the bus, where to go down town, how to get back on the bus... Very helpful!! I know the Universe put her in our path to help us feel a little more settled after our long journey into exile.
We awoke this morning to blue skies and a beautiful day ahead of us. We ate a large breakfast in the hotel lobby and hopped on the bus to the Royal Mile. This street is a large section of Edinburgh that leads up to Edinburgh Castle. Very neat part of the city with shops and street performers at every turn. I am sure that it helped we are out on a Saturday. As I began to peruse the shops I spied a small market on the side street selling posters, claddaugh rings and various items from all around the globe. As I continued to walk through I noticed a wheel chair off to the side with a blanket laid out on the ground and painted pictures scattered about. As I drew closer I realized the girl was painting with her toes... I looked down at her wares and noticed two signs, "photographs ok with donation" and "you can talk to me I do not bite". I told her that I thought her work was beautiful. She smiled and said thank you! I purchased three of her cards and donated a pound so that Patrick could take her picture for me. I told her I painted with watercolor and she said she uses acrylics - which were in between oils and watercolor. She had the most amazing spirit about her. Her name is Elaine Boyd. She did not look very old to me and in the small amount of time I spent speaking with her I learned so much about my own artwork.
Here was this individual being who decided that against all adversity she would paint. It was the way in which her spirit decided this is what I want to do, this is what makes me happy and despite what others may think I am going to create.
This simply act of unconditional creation has inspired me. There is a part of me that feels as though my work is for those "out there". This is not to say that Elaine doesn't care what others think of her art. But when you create from the heart, when you construct from your entire being, when you love what you are doing then the outside world simply looks in on you and your work. If they like, great... If not, there is no loss of self.
I walked away with tears in my eyes... She was an amazing being who taught me so much in a very short amount of time. I mentioned to my friend Heidi, Why can't we just be and enjoy our talents???Why is it I doubt my self worth? Why is it that I second guess this talent that I have inside of myself? If I enjoy what I am doing, then why can't that simply be enough?
I have been struggling with myself as an artist. I learned today that our time on Iona will truly be exile as we will not have internet access nor cell service to distract our time. I will have space to create and time to do so. I am intending that I can come to place within myself that is truly happy to create just for the sake of creating. Thank you Elaine for being a true inspiration... I will never forget the lesson you have taught me...